NFF budgets N6.382bn for 2018

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s Annual General Assembly has approved a total sum of N6,382,500,310.00 as the NFF’s budget for 2018.

The country’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, will be making their sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, to be held in Russia next year, having already qualified for the Mundial even with a match to spare in the African qualifying series.

The approval was contained in the communique issued at the end of the AGA held at the Crest Hotel in Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday.

According to the communique made available to Tribunesport by the Secretary of the Communique Drafting Committee, Demola Olajire, the guaranteed revenues from sponsors and government subvention to the Federation totalled N3,062,500,310.00.

This leaves a shortfall of the sum of N3,320,000,000.00, which the Federation has to work to augment through sponsorships and special interventions.

The General Assembly also approved the NFF Financial Statement for the year 2016.

The Congress commended the NFF Executive Committee and Management for their prudence and accountability following positive comments and high recommendations from auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, on the NFF Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2016.

It also praised the patience and diligence of the Executive Committee and NFF Secretariat in working assiduously with PWC over the past three years to eliminate areas of concern in financial records and advised the Executive Committee to build on the positives.

The annual Congress adopted a motion to the effect that future elective congresses of the NFF be moved away from the FIFA World Cup year.

This, according to the communique, was with a view to guaranteeing stability in the system to prepare the national team for credible participation at the finals, and to avoid the distractions and crises usually associated with the World Cup year.

The Congress composed new NFF Electoral and NFF Electoral Appeal Committees.

Barrister Mohammed Sani Katu; Mr Sani Salawu; Barrister S.C.A. Umeha; Barrister Olusola Oke; Mr Mohammed Manzo; Dr Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary) are members of the NFF Electoral Committee. On standby are Honourable Isong Isang; Barrister Mohammed Aliyu Sambo.

The Electoral Appeal Committee composed by the congress comprised Barrister A. U. Mustapha, Mr Mojeed Adegbindin and Barrister Gbwen Alex Gbejule.

While the secretary of the committee is to be provided by the NFF Secretariat, those on standby are Sir Emma Ochiagha and Barrister Mohammed Zanna Mala.

It also approved Katsina for the next NFF Elective Congress to be held on September 30, 2018, adding that the approval is subject to any amendmen